UGA golfer Sanchez Lobato finishes second at Ladies' British Open Amateur Championship

Saturday

Jun 30, 2012 at 11:28 PM

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland - Georgia's Rocio Sanchez Lobato finished as runner-up at the Ladies' British Open Amateur Championship after dropping a 4&3 decision to Stephanie Meadow in the finale at the Carnoustie Golf Links on Saturday.

The setback ended Sanchez Lobato's spectacular run through the 64-golfer bracket. After tying for 58th in stroke play qualifying, the rising sophomore from Marbella, Spain, won five matches - including two over top-10 seeds - in two-and-a-half days.

In the final, Meadow, a native of Jordanstown, Northern Ireland, and a rising junior at Alabama, gained an early lead and maintained that advantage throughout the round.

Meadow won three of the first four holes to build a 3-up advantage. Sanchez Lobato bounced back to secure No. 5 before Meadow won No. 6 and No. 7 to increase her lead to 4-up. Sanchez Lobato birdied No. 8 to close the gap to 3-up at the turn.

Meadow again led 4-up as she won No. 11, Sanchez Lobato captured No. 12 and Meadow took No. 13. The golfers halved the next two holes, leaving Meadow 4-up with just three holes to play.

Delacour conceded No. 10 to provide Sanchez Lobato a lead she would never relinquish. A Sanchez Lobato birdie at No. 14 expanded that margin to 2-up. Delacour closed the gap by winning No. 16, but Sanchez Lobato captured No. 18 with an 8-foot birdie putt to double her margin of victory.

Sanchez Lobato will return to action next week when she represents Spain the World University Golf Championships in Liberec, Czech Republic. In addition, rising senior Emilie Burger is a member of the U.S. team and 2012 senior Milena Savich will represent Serbia in the tournament.

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